Canopus artist Eric Binder is a world renowned drummer, educator, percussionist, composer, and author. This artist and New York State native, recognized for his unique approach to his instrument and its history, currently calls Chicago, Illinois, home. In terms of education, Binder presents a spectacular educational portfolio which began at the SUNY Schenectady County Community College where he earned an Associates Degree in Classical Music Performance. From there Binder attended the College of Saint Rose where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. As if that was not enough, this accomplished artist continued on to earn his Doctorate in Jazz Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and, finally, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Arts at Philadelphia.
As a performer, Dr. Binder had played and/or recorded with many marque artists such as Walter Smith III, Joel Frahm, Petros Klampanis, Christos Rafalides, Malcolm Cecil, Michael Davis, Larry Gray, Clint Holmes, to name a few. Dr. Binder also performs with his own quartet and/or trio and in July of 2020, the “Eric Binder Trio” (featuring Binder, Walter Smith III and, Petros Klampanis) released Hard Bop to critical acclaim.
Despite his impressive resume as a performer however, Dr. Binder’s musical skills go much further than the drum kit. In fact, Binder has performed as a classical percussionist in conjunction with wind and percussion ensembles as well as orchestras. Additionally, this uber-talented artist specializes in small group compositions and he has written works for solo piano, voice, big band, and many others. Indeed, in 2016 he was chosen as a finalist for the BMI Future Jazz Master’s composer competition. Binder is also an accomplished author who has published An Introduction to Bebop Drumming-A Concise Historical Overview and Practical Exercises, 10 Snare Drum Etudes for Improvisation-Rudimental Snare Drum Etudes Featuring Jazz Vocabulary, and, most recently, ¾ Rudimental Rundown. The publication entitled 10 Snare Drum Etudes for Improvisation was voted #3 in the 2020 Modern Drummer Magazine Readers’ Poll.
In addition to all the above, Dr. Binder currently serves on the faculty at Waubonsee Community College as the Jazz Director and at City Colleges of Chicago’s Harold Washington campus as a private lesson instructor.
Dr. Binder uses Canopus Drum sets, Craviotto snare drums, and, Istanbul Mehmet cymbals.